O2's exclusivity ends in September 2009

Jul 20, 2009 10:07 GMT  ·  By

Apple's iPhone 3G has recently been rumored to be heading towards UK, on Orange and T-Mobile's airwaves, as O2 has exclusivity on the new iPhone 3GS and is getting close to the end term of the exclusivity period for the older device. According to the latest news on the Internet, the availability of the iPhone 3G with more carriers in the country is something that it almost certain.

Given the fact that the exclusive deal between Apple and O2 for the selling of the iPhone 3G in the country will come to an end in September, both Orange and T-Mobile are reportedly seeking ways of getting the device for their customers too. Moreover, it seems that the handset's maker is also taking into consideration the idea of opening the device for more carriers, in a move that would certainly increase sales.

While both Orange and T-Mobile are already selling the device in other countries, no official word on them inking a deal for the UK market has surfaced until now. Even so, it seems that T-Mobile has already informed some of its customers that the handset will come to its offering, which suggests that the talks with Apple are getting closer to the final end.

In addition, Telegraph.co.uk has reported that T-Mobile is also considering the possibility of selling in the UK SIM-free iPhones imported from abroad. In case this proves true, the company will probably spend a lot of money to make the move, yet it will certainly manage to keep some of its flying customers. No official word on this has been said until now.

For what it's worth, the availability of the iPhone 3G with more carriers in the UK will certainly challenge O2’s prices and tariffs. At the same time, this would also offer a lot of users the possibility to enjoy the high-end Apple device, as not all of them are happy with O2's pricing, and some of them turned their back on the device because of that.